Dana Carvey Recalls ‘Many Warm Moments’ With George H.W. Bush Upon Impersonating Him on ‘SNL’

Dana Carvey impersonated George H.W. Bush for a number of years on Saturday Night Live, but says he still had a great relationship with the 41st U.S. president. 

The 62-year-old comedian was a guest on Monday’s Conan, and talked about spending time with Bush and his wife, Barbara, who died just last week at 92. While the late show was taping, Carvey and host Conan O’Brien heard that the 93-year-old former politician was hospitalized for a blood infection. 

“We had so many warm moments,” Carvey recalled. “It was a different time; it wasn’t scorched earth, angry politics.”

Carvey said he and his wife were even invited to the White House when Bush was in office. “We really hung out with them,” he shared. “I’d never seen a marriage that was so effortless. They were so much fun together.”

Further gushing over George and Barbara Bush, Carvey continued, “They did not demonize the other side. It was a different time. I just love them and wish the best for everybody.”

Barbara Bush, the former first lady and mother of former president George W. Bush, died on April 17, following the announcement that she had decided to forego further medical treatments for her failing health and spend her remaining days with family.

Over the weekend, her funeral was attended by all living former presidents, including her husband, their son George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, as well as former first ladies Laura Bush, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Michelle Obama. First lady Melania Trump also came out to pay respects on behalf of herself and President Donald Trump.

Here’s more on the life and legacy of the late Barbara Bush:

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